New Covenant Lutheran Church
15152 North Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
480-860-0169
E-Weekly Newsletter
June 16, 2022 - June 23, 2022
This Sunday: 
“Who Are You? A Son or A Slave?“
Galatians 3:23 - 4:7
Good afternoon, Church!
 
This weekend, join us as we gather to worship on this 2nd Sunday after Pentecost. It is also Father’s Day weekend. Like I have said about Mother’s Day, these special days of recognition can be painful for some of our brothers and sisters. Not everyone has grown up knowing a loving and caring father. Perhaps, we should refocus our thankfulness for fathers and all men who have nurtured and cared for us. If you did not have a loving Father, I pray that there have been Christian men in your life who became like a Father to you. This is quite personal for me.
 
My father’s first employee at his eye clinic was a woman from our church whose husband died suddenly at age 40. Pearl and her 10-year-old son, Skip, were alone. My father and two other men from my home church, filled in as Skip’s dad. Whenever there was a father/son event, a graduation, a celebration; one of these three men from church filled in as Skip’s dad. This man grew up knowing he was loved by God but also by some great “father-like” figures from his church. Skip went to college and then to Seminary. He ended up becoming a Pastor and later the Director of a Bible Camp. It so happens that I went to work for Skip at the Bible Camp and that is where I met Patti! See why we all need one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. You never know what God has in mind!

Some of you I haven’t seen for a while, but I hope that we will be reunited soon. In the meantime, know that my prayers for you continue. This Sunday, come to church as we look at “Who Are You? A Son or A Slave?“ and if you want to read ahead, take a look at Galatians 3:23 - 4:7.
 
Remember, Sunday’s a coming!
 
Pastor Steve

  • Cammy Dees is undergoing tests at Phoenix Children's Hospital. Prayers for guidance and a diagnosis.
  • April Rose Tiwana, Cleofe Hannon's sister, had surgery in the Philippines for a large ovarian cyst on Monday. Prayers for good news, comfort and healing.
  • Pat's granddaughter, Zoey George, broke her arm. Prayers for healing.
  • Prayers for a successful toe surgery for Kathy who is suffering from diabetes.
  • Troy Kisluk had successful surgery this week. Prayers for healing.
  • Bonnie Straley is recovering from a severe viral bronchial infection. Prayers for continued and complete healing.
  • Nancy Aberly, Suzanne Miller's mother, passed May 31st. Prayers for Suzanne, her dad and sisters as they mourn her death.
  • Dana Engstrom, the preschool director, is battling Long COVID. Her parents are both unwell. Prayers for healing for her family.
  • Sue Cartmell passed May 25th. A Celebration of Life service was held June 14. Continued prayers for her son, Rick, and her friends, as we mourn her death.
  • Darren, Laurie Gerlach's brother, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He is to begin radiation treatments soon. Prayers the treatments go well.
  • Maddie Levell -- prayers for healing and that her medications will work.
  • Darlene Meissner, a close friend of the Ostrands, is slowly improving.
  • Lol Walker, Patti and Nancy’s mother, is at home under hospice care. Prayers for her and her family.
  • Stephen Parrish, a family friend of Judy Shelton, is dealing with a brain tumor. Prayers for comfort and healing.
  • Cindy Katris, Ron Ostrand’s cousin, has multiple brain tumors. Two were removed, the third cannot be surgically removed and is cancerous -- she is undergoing chemo and radiation treatments.
  • Gloria, Monica Cunningham’s mother, is struggling with her new living arrangement. Prayers for peace.
  • Jonathan Liebman a friend of Jeff Allback has ALS. His health and abilities are getting progressively worse
  • Kent, a friend of Jeff Clarke and Debbie Campouris, is responding very well to cancer treatments.
  • Randall, a friend of Jeff Clarke and Debbie Campouris, is preparing for cancer surgery.
  • Bob, the husband of Ron Ostrand’s cousin Paula, had COVID and was hospitalized for 16 weeks. He is home on oxygen but not doing well with damaged lungs and a heart condition. Prayers for healing. 
  • Diane Springer, a friend of Amy Saunders, has recently been diagnosed with cancer.
  • Aurien Preiss continues to have elevated blood pressure. Prayers that her new medication will help.
  • Kayla Mertz, Aurien Preiss’ half-sister, is meeting with a neurosurgeon concerning back and brain surgeries. Prayers for discernment and the possibility for successful surgeries.
  • Carol McNulty, Aurien Preiss’ mother needs prayers for her care and help with dementia. 
  • Roger Dunlap, Lorraine’s husband, has been diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis. He is improving slowly.
  • Tracey, Ron & Phyllis Ostrand’s daughter, is suffering from depression. Prayers for relief.
  • Carl, a friend of Laurie Gerlach, has terminal pancreatic cancer. Prayers for Carl and Linda as they work with doctors to find the best treatment plan.
  • Len, Bonnie Straley’s older brother, suffers from cognitive and anxiety issues and diabetes. 
  • Lucille and John Foley, friends of Alice Hastings, need prayers for ongoing health concerns. 
  • Larry, Bonnie Straley’s younger brother has Parkinson’s. Prayers for strength.
  • Tim, Phyllis and Ron Ostrand’s son, has a ruptured disk. Prayers that current procedures provide relief.
  • Daphne and Cassidy, Bonnie Straley’s granddaughter and great-niece need prayers and guidance.
  • Linda Fraise, Alice Hastings’ friend, is battling late-stage scleroderma, an autoimmune disease.